Part 8 (2/2)

”At a distance of fifteen versts froed southward to the village of Charchalyk, built about thirty years ago by outlaws fro fields for the state Where Charchalyk now stands, and also at the distance of two days' journey froush-Shari (froush, a former ruler) and Gas-Shari respectively Close to Lob-Nor (Kara Koshun) are the ruins of a third and pretty extensive town called Kune-Shari From inquires, Prejevalsky ascertained that about 1861 or 1862 a colony of Russians nu women and children, with their pack-horses and armed with flint-lock muskets, settled on the Lower Tari stay, and soon returned to Uru to the Lob-Nor Lake (Kara Koshun), which the travellers reached in the early days of February, it should be observed that the Taries itself first into a sth, and between ten and twelve versts in breadth) called Kara Buran (_ie_ black storreat part of the Kara Buran, as of Lob-Nor, is overgroith reeds, the river flowing in its bed in the centre The name Lob-Nor is applied by the natives to the whole lower course of the Tari called Chok-kul or Kara Koshun This lake, or rathersouth-west and north-east

”Its th, its minor axis not more than twenty versts This information is derived from the natives, as Prejevalsky himself explored only the southern and western end, and proceeded by boat down the river for about half the length of the lake, further progress being rendered i shallowness of the water and the masses of reeds in every direction The water itself is clear and sweet, though there are salt round parallel with the present borders of the lake and overgroith tamarisks It is probable that this strip was formerly the periphery of the lake, and this conclusion is corroborated by the natives, who say that thirty years ago the lake was deeper”

It is clear that the true position of Lob-Nor has yet to be defined by modern exploration, but we may safely assume with the _Athenaeum_ that Colonel Prjevalsky's Kara Koshun is _not_ Lob-Nor The acco map then, in this particular, is unfortunately erroneous

There is every reason for believing that Lob-Nor will be found in the position assigned to it on the Chinese chart, the accuracy of which has been so strikingly proved by the correct position given to the two lakes Khas-omo, which are identical with the Kara Koshun and Kara Bunar of Prjevalsky

It would beto obtain a diary or other account of those Russian settlers nita_ of Central Asia during the halcyon days after the signature of the Treaty of Kuldja, and just before the outbreak of the Tungan revolt It is possible that theytheir return journey to Uru what they had achieved The reader will, therefore, have the kindness to bear in mind that Lob-Nor is really (probably about three-quarters of a degree) north-east of where it is placed on the map, and that the lake represented there is only the Kara Koshun, or Chok Kul of Colonel Prjevalsky

The most recent information is, that Colonel Prjevalsky adheres to his view as to the position of Lob-Nor, and is preparing a reply which will be published in a feeeks from this date (October 1st)

TREATY BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHINA

TREATY OF COMMERCE CONCLUDED BETWEEN RUSSIA AND CHINA, AT KULDJA, ON THE 25TH DAY OF JULY, 1851, AND RATIFIED ON THE 13TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1851

The plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russias, and the plenipotentiaries of His Majesty the Bogdokhan of Tatsing, hereby declare; the Governor General of Ili, and its dependent provinces, as well as his deputy, have, after consulting together, concluded in the city of Ili (Kuldja), in favour of the subjects of both empires, a Treaty of Commerce, which establishes a traffic in the cities of Ili (Kuldja), and of Tarbagatai (Chuguchak) This treaty is co articles:--

ARTICLE I

The present Treaty of Commerce, concluded in the interests of both powers, by de their mutual solicitude for theof, their respective subjects, ought to draw still closer together those links of friendshi+p which at the present moment unite the ters

ARTICLE II

The ulate between thee the various charges at their oill, and without any extraneous pressure On the part of Russia a consul will be appointed to superintend the affairs of all Russian subjects; and on the part of China, a functionary of the superior administration of Ili In the event of any collision between the subjects of either Power, each of these agents will decide, in accordance with justice, the affairs of his own country opened in consideration of the mutual friendshi+p of the ters, it will not be in contravention of existing rights on either side

ARTICLE IV

Russian uchak) will be acco to Ili (Kuldja) shall arrive at the Chinese picket of Borokhondjir, and when that destined for Tarbagatai (Chuguchak) shall reach the first Chinese picket, the syndic shall present to the officer of the guard the certificate of his govern noted the number of men, of beasts, and of loads of merchandise, shall permit the caravan to pass, and shall furthermore cause it to be escorted fro the march, all disturbance, or cause for such, shall be interdicted to soldiers and merchants alike

ARTICLE V

In order to facilitate the task of officers and soldiers, Russian ed, in virtue of the present treaty, to follow the route chosen by their body guard, both going and returning

ARTICLE VI

If, whilst Russian caravans follow their route outside the liands froe, of assault, or other criovernment shall not be required to interfere in the matter

When the caravan shall have arrived on Chinese territory, si its residence in the factories where uard and defend their property They will be expected still more carefully to look after their anie If, despite all precaution, soo astray, notice of such loss iven to the Chinese official; who conjointly with the Russian consul shall trace out with all possible diligence the lost article If traces of it are discovered, and those in a village held by Chinese subjects, and the thief be captured, the punish lost be recovered, or any portion of it, it shall be restored to the person to whoed

ARTICLE VII

In the event of disputes, litigations, or other trivial incidents, between the respective subjects, the Russian consul and the Chinese official, of whom mention has previously been made, shall use all their efforts to settle the affair satisfactorily But if, despite every effort to avoid such, a crieneral importance should arise, it shall be decided conforulations actually in force on the Kiachta frontier

ARTICLE VIII

Russian merchants shall arrive each year with their merchandise between the 25th day of March and the 10th day of Dece to the Chinese calendar between the day Tchin--tchi); after the latter of these dates, the arrival of caravans shall cease If thethat period (8-1/2 months) should not be sold, it shall be perer space in China, in order to coe of their departure It is moreover understood that Russian merchants shall not obtain an escort of officers and soldiers, neither for going nor for returning, if they have not at the least twenty camels laden with merchandise If a merchant or the Russian consul has need for soe, every facility shall be accorded hi so But in order that the service of officers and soldiers should not become too onerous, there shall only be twice in the same month these extraordinary expeditions outside the line of the advanced guards